The Emu story-Building a Home in Thailand (PHOTOS & VIDS)

[emu]

This is a continuation of some previous threads I have started. This one picks up at around the start of September. We are building a new house in Sisaket province, Amphur Phu Sing. 500 odd km east of Bangkok.
We bought the land two years ago, and had it raised and levelled. It is 1 Rai, or half an acre. The block slopes away from the main road, to a depth of 1 metre at the back. Cost of the block was 235 000tb, and the fill was 50 000tb. I have started a running spreadsheet to keep track of expenses. An autosum function updates the totals as I go.


The block was a bit overgrown, so we had the vegetation cut and poisoned. From the photos, you will see the first attempt at a hand dug well by family. They hit rock at 6 metres, and that was that. Second try for water was the small hole bored to 30 metres, but no water. No water, no pay. 3000tb I think for expenses. Third attempt this month was a winner. Near the temporary power pole, to a depth of 40 metres. Total price of borehole, pvc liner, and submersible pump was 40 000tb. Winning

[emu]

We built a workers hut and toilet on the block, but Mrs Emu has moved in there already to guard the pump. The monstrosity next door, green and yellow, went up just recently. I don't know its purpose yet.



My photo uploads seem to be a bit hit and miss. I'll sort it out next week when I get back to work in Australia.
The baby is my grand daughter, Parm, and her mum, Bee. Some photos wont upload.
Sorry this is looking like crap. I'll try to lift my game. But at least I have started.

[emu]

I am currently working in Australia on a 3/1 roster. I will be flying home tomorrow for my week break. Mrs Emu is resident on the block now, equipped with a black light arrangement to catch insects. So sad I cannot join her to eat them, haha.
Plans for this week are to: negotiate a labour only contract with builders. Purchase rebar and formwork timber. Hire macro to dig footings - 1/2 day.
Purchase water tank and valves, hoses to give a constant water supply, rather than running the pump all the time. Hopefully, have some reo tied. ready for pouring.
With a decent mixer, I think the builders would be happier mixing and pouring cement as they go. I'll check it out for the contract.

[emu]

An amazing week. I' m so chuffed with everything. This is my last night. I will catch a bus in the morning to mor chit, and be back in Aust for work tuesday. Plenty of photos and some stories.

[emu]

This week. Our princess has taken a new job with a western/ thai restaurant as a cashier. They wanted someone who could speak English, and her two years in Australian high school have rewarded her. We bought her a new Honda wave to celebrate her independence. Very excited for her. I can remember what my first job meant to me. It's alive in job as well, so she's on her own.



Back at the block, Mrs Emu has set up a bug catcher right beside the house. They are everywhere, even in the daytime. I had to insist it gets moved. For a million small bugs, they get 50 or so big ones every night. She also puts out the prawn pots out in the creek, and gets some small prawns to make prawn fritters. They look good, but no.

[emu]

So, on to the build. I have misunderstood the pump info. Nothing new here. The borehole did not go out the front as I instructed, but out the back where the driller wanted. It turned out well though. They were drilling rock, and then the rods dropped slack. They have hit an aquifer. I bought a 3000 litre tank to guarantee supply, and the water is crystal clear. It tastes the same as bottled water. Winning more. The pump is not submersible, but a 1.5 hp above ground unit. I ran the pump 2 and a half hours, with no drop in output.



We negotiated a contract for labour with the guy who did the drawings. 225000 baht. I told him I wanted separate prices for footings/ columns, roof, and blockwork. The bugger gave a price for all slabs, columns, footings, and roof. Blocks were on the list, but with no price. I noticed this two days later, and beat him down to 200000. Half before, and half on completion.

[emu]

Because the bore hole is in the wrong place, we have had to flip the house plan to keep the septic outfall away from the bore. In a way it's good, because our room wont overlook the yellow and green monstrosity next door.



We have bought this week, Reo bar for footings, formwork, roofing steel and water tank and sundries, 150 000 tb. And 20 bags of cement. Next shop, 270sm of cpac monier two tone tiles, 3300 cement blocks, screws, bucket, shovels, sand and aggregate. Second shop quote 250 baht for delivery truck. Neglect to tell me, that said tuck has to do six trips. If I didn't laugh, I would have to cry. Instead of charging me 19 800 for blocks, she charged 1 980 baht. I bought a Honda wave for myself with my winnings, and before delivery, she called and asked for the extra. Haha. Win some lose some. Total for this shop, was 91 000tb.
Cost so far for All slabs, columns, footings, roof steelwork and roof tiles and 50 percent of labour was 344 000tb. We still have to pay 30 000 for deposit for cpac cement deliveries. Total will be around 70 000.

thai dumpy level

[Susana]

Will the septic be on the opposite side of the house as the well?

Good deal on finding an aquifer.

[emu]

Will the septic be on the opposite side of the house as the well?

Good deal on finding an aquifer.

Yes it will Susana. We will have to do regular testing when this starts. I only plan on using borewater for house water, not drinking, but you don't want to be washing plates with bacteria.

[emu]

We needed to buy some eucalypt trees for bracing the column formwork. It turned out to be a self serve farm, and the trees cost 32 baht each. Very humid day, but quick workers. 45 minutes, and all tied on the ute. Note the Spanish windlass on the tiedown for tension. 30 trees.



I noticed that a lot of the thai houses have a red shirt hanging out the front. I asked Mrs Emu if this was because they were red shirt supporters. She says that there is a female thai ghost that comes at night time, and takes away the men. So the women of the house put a red or pink shirt outside to show that there is a woman in the house. Maybe someone else knows more about this superstition?.